EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 9; SOUTH KIVU ARMED GROUPS

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000223 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 9; SOUTH KIVU ARMED GROUPS FORMING POLITICAL PARTIES ¶1. (U) The items contained in this report consist principally of spot information from various sources. This report is not exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be confirmed at this time. ¶2. (SBU) U.S. personnel in Goma met on March 6 with Vincent Ngeya Tambwe, who represents the Yakatumba Maimai on the political side, to discuss the rumor that many of the South Kivu armed groups are beginning to organize themselves into political parties. The Yakatumba representative affirmed that this process has in fact commenced (Note: this does not, however, include the FRF. End note). ¶3. (SBU) Currently, two particular formations appear to be coalescing: the "Group of Eight" and the "Group of Four." The latter formation includes the groups known as the Simba, Shabunda, and PARECO/SK (Note: U.S. personnel in Goma did not know the name of the other group participating in the Group of Four but presumably it is the Shikito. End note). The Group of Eight is composed of the Yakatumba, Zabuloni, Nkiriba, Mahoro, Kapopo, Mudundu 40, Kirikicho, and Raia Mutomboki. ¶4. (SBU) However, neither group has made any particular decisions beyond the overarching determination to create political parties. The Group of Eight is working on its charter, rules of order and other matters of this kind, though it is not known how far along the Group of Four is with respect to this kind of work. The representatives intend to begin launching these two parties as soon as they have sent their fighters to integration or DDR (Comment: Presuming all goes according to plan, this is a positive development with respect to the effort to transform the South Kivu armed groups into non-violent political groups. End comment). GARVELINK